Has anyone used Gum Arabic/Acacia Powder or Quillaja saponaria (Soapbark) or Manihot esculenta (Manioc) or (Yuca Root) to build foam in rootbeer? I found a source for Acacia Powder, but I hesistate to order until I have an idea on how much to use. I cannot find any sources online for Yucca Extract, and I am not sure if I should be looking for a liquid or powder for that.

Just updating this topic...I ordered the Acacia Powder/Gum Arabic. I've tried twice to use it in my root beer without much success. I don't know if I am mixing/using it properly. If anyone has any info on how to get foamy root beer, I'd appreciate it.

Any update on this? I only ask because I too would like a good foamy head in my root beer. Perhaps I could lend this bit f info though. While doing some research looking for good recipes, I came across something that said to use Yuka root for a good head in your root beer. If you haven't tried that you may want to. Im flirting with the idea of getting some Yuka to try it out myself.

Any update on this? I only ask because I too would like a good foamy head in my root beer. Perhaps I could lend this bit f info though. While doing some research looking for good recipes, I came across something that said to use Yuka root for a good head in your root beer. If you haven't tried that you may want to. Im flirting with the idea of getting some Yuka to try it out myself.

I had run across a reference to cassava extract being used to give a foamy head to root beer. And guess what, I just went and looked it up and cassava and yuca are the same plant (didn't know that). It looks like in the Americas it's called yuca (where it's native to), and in Africa it's called cassava (where it's an imported food stock). Also, guess which dish is made with cassava extract - Tapioca! Instead of hunting down cassava extract, I decided (on my next batch of root beer) that I'm going to add a little of the fine-crystal tapioca I found at the local grocery store. It's pretty cheap at the store for a 1# sack.

Man I wish I came across this a little sooner. Well I have another shipment of roots and stuff that will be here Monday and one of the roots I ordered was yucca. I don't know how much to use per gallon but that's part of the fun in all of this. Well let us know of the results you get with the tapioca crystals.

Has anyone used Gum Arabic/Acacia Powder or Quillaja saponaria (Soapbark) or Manihot esculenta (Manioc) or (Yuca Root) to build foam in rootbeer? I found a source for Acacia Powder, but I hesistate to order until I have an idea on how much to use. I cannot find any sources online for Yucca Extract, and I am not sure if I should be looking for a liquid or powder for that.

Has anyone used Gum Arabic/Acacia Powder or Quillaja saponaria (Soapbark) or Manihot esculenta (Manioc) or (Yuca Root) to build foam in rootbeer? I found a source for Acacia Powder, but I hesistate to order until I have an idea on how much to use. I cannot find any sources online for Yucca Extract, and I am not sure if I should be looking for a liquid or powder for that.

The quillaja extract is a liquid and 10 drops/gallon is more than enough. Unfortunately, just adding it to a carbonated beverage causes it to fizz, like adding Menthos candy to Coca Cola but not quite as bad. I carbonate my root beer with a Primo Flavorstation. After adding the quillaja extract, I quickly cap the bottle and store it in the refrigerator for a couple of hours to stabilize the carbonation. That's almost too much trouble and dangerous. Now, I am curious to know whether Yucca extract is as bad in this regard.

Has anyone used Gum Arabic/Acacia Powder or Quillaja saponaria (Soapbark) or Manihot esculenta (Manioc) or (Yuca Root) to build foam in rootbeer? I found a source for Acacia Powder, but I hesistate to order until I have an idea on how much to use. I cannot find any sources online for Yucca Extract, and I am not sure if I should be looking for a liquid or powder for that.

The quillaja extract is a liquid and 10 drops/gallon is more than enough. Unfortunately, just adding it to a carbonated beverage causes it to fizz, like adding Menthos candy to Coca Cola but not quite as bad. I carbonate my root beer with a Primo Flavorstation. After adding the quillaja extract, I quickly cap the bottle and store it in the refrigerator for a couple of hours to stabilize the carbonation. That's almost too much trouble and dangerous. Now, I am curious to know whether Yucca extract is as bad in this regard.

UPDATE:

I found that the easiest way to add the quillaja extract is to put a few drops on the inside, center, bottom of the bottle cap, put the cap in a freezer for 10 minutes to freeze the extract into place, cap the bottle with carbonated beverage inside, and, then, lay the bottle on its side in the refrigerator for a few hours.

Incidentally, I found that foam additives are more than cosmetic. I believe that, as surfactants, foam additives improve the taste of beverages by helping to wash away saliva and mucus that covers the mouth and throat. And, that is why regular beer is so popular.